By Ibrahim Careys

Right now, plenty of noise bombards your ears from all directions.

In the art of building, soundproofing is one way to create a conducive and noise free environment. It is the task of shutting out, eliminating or minimising sound, echoes and vibrations at home as well as the office.

Three techniques are available for smart soundproofing. These are: Interior Design Soundproofing (IDS), House Enhancement Scheme (HES) and Home Perfection Expert (HPE).

Textured ceilings absorb sound. Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard

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IDS is the internal or the central soundproofing of a room, home or office. With IDS, you can humidify or moisturise noise by choosing a smart interior soundproofing designing. A good approach to IDS soundproofing is to use drapes, rugs or by choosing flanged furnishings, which absorb sound. Sound travels less with rough and uneven surfaces.

Sound resistance

On the other hand, HES enables sound upgrading and perfection. It works to improve the sound strength and intensity of the building, room or office. You can control sound by banding or fastening all reverberation inlets such as windows. You do this by insulating the windows with double-panned soundproofing windowpanes. You can also use soundproof hardwearing doors. You can ground vibrations using vinyl frames to silence wind and unwanted sounds from outside.

Another approach is to hang sound resistant heavy fabrics walls and all air inlets. These include use of panels, carpeting, blankets and soil-sandwiched cardboards that not only prevent noise from blowing wind but can also absorb and oppose sound and vibrations.

Another smart soundproofing technique is known as graining, whereby the ceiling is textured in order to absorb sound. Other than soundproofing the room, textured ceiling also provides visual effect.

HPE involves engaging an expert to counsel you on your intricate soundproofing concerns such as insulation. Most HPE are specialists in attic, wall, floor, roof and ceiling insulation skills. Insulating surfaces helps you keep dangerous predators and unnecessary sound or noise away. For proper soundproofing, follow these smart soundproofing steps:

Shutting: Build the rooms with noise and sound covering materials.

Joint sealing: Buffer or cushion all unwanted noise and sounds by sealing off wall-joints, wall-leaks and windows with noise barring objects and substances.

Garnishing: This is decorating the rooms with roughened fixtures to absorb sound and vibrations.

Echo claying: Use sound and echo absorbing techno-systems that earth down and sop up resonance and reverberations.